In 1905, Congress granted to the American Red Cross a charter requiring the organization to carry out a system of national and international relief in time of peace; to apply that system in mitigating the suffering caused by pestilence, famine, fire, flood, and other great national calamities; and to devise and carry out measures for preventing those calamities. In fact, even before the national charter was granted, American Red Cross founder Clara Barton and Red Cross volunteers came to the assistance of our community after the Great Storm of 1900 devastated Galveston
Today, in that same humanitarian spirit, trained and dedicated Red Cross volunteers devote their time to help others by responding to a daily average of three to four emergencies. Most of these disasters are house and apartment fires which occur within the 16-county service area of the Greater Houston Area Red Cross. Within 2 hours of being notified of a family in need, the Red Cross dispatches a Disaster Action Team equipped to meet the immediate needs of disaster victims by providing shelter, food, clothing, and sometimes essential medications and medical equipment.
Besides responding to daily disasters, Disaster Services works throughout the year to ensure that we have strategically located Red Cross shelters in our 16-county area ready to be activated if needed before, during, and after disaster. In addition to disaster training courses provided online and in the classrooms of its chapter headquarters and branch offices the Houston Red Cross also offers Community Disaster Education and Disaster Preparedness presentations to schools, community groups, and businesses at their own locations Trained Red Cross disaster workers stand ready to respond, not only to local disasters, but also to disasters elsewhere in the country through the Red Cross Disaster Services Human Resources (DSHR) network.
Whether in our own area or in other areas of our state or nation, The American Red Cross provides the following services to help affected individuals and communities return to normal living conditions as soon as possible:
- Emergency food and clothing
- Safe, dry, temporary shelter
- Emotional support to victims and families
- Damage assessment to determine the number of homes and families affected
- Information to the media and local government officials
- Emergency communications and inquiries
Disaster response is available through our Disaster Action Teams 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you need disaster help or would like more information about Houston Red Cross Disaster Services, please call 713-526-8300.
All Red Cross services for disaster victims are free.
E-mail this page to a friend (requires login).
